Effects of orally administered hormonal contraceptives on the musculoskeletal system of healthy premenopausal women-A systematic review.

Introduction: The musculoskeletal system (MSK) is one of the extragonadal target tissues of sex hormones: osteoblasts and osteocytes express estrogen receptors, while in fibroblasts of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and myocytes of the vastus lateralis muscle (MVL), estrogen and progesterone receptors can be detected by immunoassay. Indeed, upon binding of sex hormones to the extragonadal receptors, the MSK seems to respond to varying levels of sex hormones with structural adaptation. Hormonal contraceptives can affect the musculoskeletal system; however, there is a lack of high-quality studies, and no recommendation for female athletes exists.